Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.--Representatives from the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs and its Base Realignment and Closure Small and Minority Business Advisory Board sponsored an informational meeting on Aberdeen Proving Ground Friday to discuss installation transformation and business opportunities.
Sixty representatives of small, minority, women-owned, veteran-owned and disadvantaged businesses attended the meeting to learn about potential contracting opportunities created by BRAC for both State and federal contracts.
The Special Secretary of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, Luwanda Jenkins, welcomed the attendees and described the event as part of the state's efforts to establish relationships that will help small and minority businesses find work.
"You're here to obtain information, make connections and form partnerships," she said. "I hope you are ready to do business."
Asuntha Chiang-Smith, the BRAC executive director from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor also represented the state at the meeting. She said the state promises to do whatever it can to support the incoming missions of Aberdeen Proving Ground while maximizing the opportunities for Maryland companies. Chiang-Smith said the state had "an optimistic picture" for the business climate for the 450,000 small and minority businesses in Maryland. She then presented a proclamation from Gov. Martin O'Malley naming June 11, 2010, "BRAC Small and Minority Business Day."
Echoing that positive economic view Lisa Swaboda, from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development explained that "BRAC is the largest economic development in Maryland since World War II." She said that the military is now generating $20 billion annually in economic activity in the state.
"With significant growth comes opportunity," Swaboda stated. And, she added a bit of advice to the business men and women attending: "network, network, network."
Research, Development and Engineering Command Chief of Staff Col. John Kilgallon set the stage for achieving the event's theme, a greater understanding of APG's transformation, by providing details about the various organizational and physical changes taking place on the installation.
"The future is fast approaching and we are increasing velocity. Just look at all the new construction as you came onto the post. What you see is an investment that the United States Army is making in this base, the state and the region," he said.
Kilgallon explained that the transformation of APG is more than just the move from Fort Monmouth. Expertise is moving in from at least five other states and the installation reaches out to more than 320 universities across the country just through RDECOM alone.
"It means APG is a national hub for integrating science, technology, and engineering advancements on behalf of our Soldiers," he summarized. "It also means that APG has worldwide reach and importance."
From the perspective of Harford County's executive director of economic development, Mr. Jim Richardson, the assessment was clear: "BRAC is not coming to APG. It is here."
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